Telling the African story

Being African In Africa is about telling the African story - the positive African story.

My work as a communication professional for more than a decade now has taken me to over 30 countries in Africa. When I meet and interact with new people from different corners of the continent, I marvel at the stories they have to tell – about themselves, the people they live with, their communities and the lives they lead.

As an African born and living on the continent, I am enthralled by the wealth of knowledge and beauty that exists on this continent. On the flip side, whenever I turn on the TV or radio, I am bombarded by news stories and coverage that is mostly negative. News that seems to sell covers crime, corruption, drought and the like… all somewhat depressing. Important, yes, but many too are the positive stories that do not receive coverage.

Being African In Africa is a platform for sharing positive news, titbits and more balanced perspectives on life on the continent. On the social front, the continent’s people are on average hospitable, with most communities looking out for friends and relatives, and even strangers. This spirit of “Ubuntu” as it is called in southern Africa, is formed on the foundation of what it means to be human – people do not exist in isolation but in families and communities. Being African In Africa endeavours to bring forth the untold stories, unsung heroes and the pioneers that shape the beautiful continent I call home.

Mwanja Ng'anjo

The Girl Who Was Not Happy… with a Happy Ending

I have always known that the need for children to get in the habit of reading books is very high, particularly in townships and rural areas. Therefore, writing a book for children made a lot of sense to me, drawing on the motivation that drives me to help children to love reading. My love for children and having worked with children for many years and reading them books daily, also inspired the idea.

Reminiscing about Tripoli

It was only on the next day when I had recovered enough from my jet lag that I managed to venture out to the Tripoli Gold Market, Souk Al-Harajb. Needless to say, there was gold everywhere – golden trinkets and jewellery, gold, gold everywhere! Sold by the gram, the yellow precious metal is an intrinsic part of the Libyan culture that is centuries old. I was told, for example, that before marriage, every groom must buy an ample amount of gold to be presented to his wife to be.

What Tyler Perry said in Africa

While #BeingAfricanInAfrica (that is, while just being my usual self), I received an invitation to attend the Gates Foundation Goalkeepers event in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 1 December 2018, on the eve of the Global Citizens concert. My take-home message was a brief but succinct delivery by actor, playwright, director and philanthropist Tyler Perry.